Fan flower is indeed a perennial plant. Perennials are plants that live for more than two years, and fan flower fits this definition as it can continue to grow and bloom for several years. However, it is important to note that fan flower is a herbaceous perennial, meaning that it does not develop woody stems like some other perennial plants. Instead, it has soft, green stems that can be quite flexible.
Fan flower, also known by its scientific name Scaevola aemula, is native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. It has adapted to thrive in hot and dry summer climates, making it an excellent choice for gardens in USDA zones 10 and 11. In these zones, fan flower can be grown as a perennial, with the benefit of its long-lasting presence and ability to bloom year after year.
However, for gardeners in regions with colder climates, such as North Carolina, fan flower is typically grown as an annual. In areas where the temperatures drop below freezing in the winter, fan flower is not able to survive the cold and will die off. Therefore, it is necessary to replant fan flower each year in these regions.
As a gardening and landscaping expert, I have encountered fan flower in various garden settings. I have seen it used as a perennial in gardens with the suitable climate, where it becomes a reliable and attractive addition to the landscape. Its sprawling habit and delicate, fan-shaped flowers create a lovely groundcover or trailing element in containers and hanging baskets.
In my experience, fan flower has shown excellent drought tolerance, making it a great choice for water-wise gardening. Its ability to withstand hot and dry conditions is a testament to its adaptability and resilience.
To summarize, fan flower is a herbaceous, flowering perennial that can be grown as a perennial in USDA zones 10 and 11, where it thrives in hot and dry summer climates. However, in colder regions like North Carolina, it is typically grown as an annual. Its ability to withstand drought and its attractive, fan-shaped flowers make it a desirable choice for a variety of garden settings.
